About Us
The Department of History
Explore the past and shape your future in the Department of History.
Our undergraduates choose from a wide array of courses and can pursue a concentration in American, global, or European history. We offer an acclaimed history education program that trains future middle and high school teachers. Whatever their interests, our students get involved in the excitement of doing historical research and communicating their discoveries, developing the kinds of skills that lead to jobs in fields like law, business, and education. Paid internships allow students to gain experience at museums and historic sites. Our Museum Studies and Public Engagement minor is a popular addition to the major.
The history graduate program offers both master of arts and doctoral degrees. Along with nationally recognized strengths in fields like early American history, the department hosts three specialized graduate programs: the Hagley Program in the History of Capitalism, Technology, and Culture; the American Civilization Program, which focuses on material culture studies; and the African American Public Humanities Initiative, an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program integrating history, English, art history, and Africana studies. Many of our graduate students additionally pursue interests in public history and complete a certificate in the Museum Studies and Public Engagement Program.
Our faculty combine outstanding classroom instruction with award-winning research and service to the University and the community. Their research and teaching spans the globe, traversing historical epochs from the ancient world to the present.
Whether you have a specific professional goal or wish to gain invaluable skills in writing, research, and critical thinking, you’ll find that studying in the Department of History will open unexpected doors to many career options. We look forward to getting to know you!
Department Chair
Owen White
owhite@udel.edu
Director, Undergraduate Studies
Eve Buckley
ebuckley@udel.edu
Visitor Information
The University of Delaware campus is located in Newark, Delaware, which is about 20 minutes away from Wilmington, an hour from either Philadelphia or Baltimore, two hours from Washington D.C., and two and a half hours from New York City.
Dedication of Munroe Hall
Built in the early 20th-century for faculty housing, three historic homes were renovated and unified by a two-story building to form John Munroe Hall. Home to the Departments of Anthropology and History, the building was named in honor of the late John Munroe, H. Rodney Sharp Professor Emeritus of History and was dedicated on November 2, 1997.
Located at 46 West Delaware Avenue, Munroe Hall is a model of what President Roselle styled "adaptive reuse" of three older brick houses fronting the north side of the street. These houses which were originally built in 1912, were renovated for office and lab space while preserving the historic appearance of their facades,and then were joined in the back to a new two-story building that mimics their old Newark architecture.
The College’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are significant parts of the University of Delaware's College of Arts and Sciences's values and goals. The college's commitment to these values is not just evident in its student body but also its faculty, staff, and curriculum, ensuring a fully inclusive experience. Through this steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusivity, the college continues to enrich its educational offering, allowing each student to benefit from a wide array of viewpoints and experiences.
